St Mary's Nursery School

Inspection of St Mary's Nursery School Queen's Road, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 2LB

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Staff provide a warm and welcoming environment which helps children to feel safe and secure. Children arrive with a smile on their faces and confidently say goodbye to their parents/carers. They are excited to see their friends and quickly settle into the routines of the day. For example, they hang up their coats and eagerly join in a dance activity which helps enhance their physical skills.

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The provision is good

Staff use a range of strategies to help children learn about equality and diversity. Children understand about people who are different from themselves. They enjoy playing with small world figures that represent different cultures, ethnicities and abilities. This helps children to respect others which prepares them well for modern life. Children's unique qualities, such as their culture, heritage and family backgrounds, are celebrated, which promotes children's emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

Children successfully develop their social skills. Staff are good role models and use a range of ways to promote positive behaviour. For example, each morning, children gather on the carpet where staff greet each child by name. This teaches children good manners which is demonstrated when children politely welcome visitors to the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Staff prepare an exciting environment for children to learn and play indoors. They plan a range of activities which follow children's interests and promote learning across several areas. For example, children learn about vegetables and refine their fine motor skills when they transfer pumpkin seeds using tweezers. Children enjoy plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. However, staff do not fully consider how to prepare an exciting outdoor learning environment. This means children who prefer to learn outdoors do not always benefit from learning across all areas of the curriculum. n Staff observe children's play and use the information gathered to successfully assess children's progress. This means emerging gaps in learning and development are quickly identified. Furthermore, staff swiftly refer to outside agencies to ensure that children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, get any extra help they need to make continued

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need to do better?

progress. n Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. For example, during small group activities, they build on what children remember by skilfully introducing new words, such as 'stomp' and 'anger'. This successfully supports children to develop their communication and language skills. n Overall, staff deployment is good. Children are closely supervised, and staff meet their needs. However, occasionally, the youngest children are not supported to

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need to do better?

19 October 2023 join in activities or lead their own play. Therefore, staff do not always effectively enhance the development of younger children's social skills and independence. n Staff help children to keep healthy. For example, staff work in partnership with parents to teach children about the importance of good oral health. For example, they have arranged for a dental nurse to visit the setting to teach children a good toothbrushing technique. Additionally, staff provide nutritious snacks, such as fruit and vegetables, to encourage children to make healthy food choices. n Staff support children well through a range of transitions. For instance, settling- in processes are flexible to promote the emotional well-being of each child. Furthermore, children's future Reception teachers are invited to spend time in the setting getting to know the children. Children manage the move on to school confidently as their individual needs are fully understood and planned for.

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need to do better?

n Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They encourage children to talk about and explore their feelings. This assists children to manage their emotions and helps them to understand how their behaviour affects others. This is demonstrated when children play happily together and readily share resources. n The manager monitors staff performance regularly to help identify strengths and development areas in practice. Staff are reflective and are encouraged to attend training to help keep their knowledge up to date. Staff feel well supported. For example, they have regular supervision meetings when they discuss their workload and well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge of the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect. They understand the processes to follow if they have concerns about children's safety. This includes who to contact should there be an allegation against an adult. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, they regularly practise evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Leaders have robust recruitment and vetting processes in place to help ensure that adults are safe to work with children. Staff complete thorough checks of the premises to keep children safe.

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should:

n develop the outdoor environment to ensure that children who prefer to play outside are fully supported to learn across all areas of the curriculum n improve teaching to ensure that staff consistently support younger children to develop their social skills and independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109512 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10307827 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person St Mary's Nursery School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01892 611721 Date of previous inspection 9 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St Mary's Nursery School registered in 2001. It is a committee-managed provision which operates independently from a mobile classroom in the grounds of St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Crowborough, East Sussex. It operates Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, during term time. There are five members of staff who work with the children, four of whom hold a relevant early years qualification. The nursery school is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four years, and also receives early years pupil premium funding.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector talked to parents and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about the curriculum and what they want their children to learn.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

19 October 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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